Philippines Culture & Language

Filipino culture is a genuine composite: Austronesian foundations, three hundred years of Spanish Catholicism, and half a century of American influence in language, education and popular culture. It produces combinations found nowhere else.

More than 170 languages are spoken. Filipino, based on Tagalog, and English are official, while Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon and others are first languages for millions.

Catholicism is practised intensely — Holy Week processions, months-long Christmas observance beginning in September, and enormous devotional festivals like the Sinúlog and the Black Nazarene.

Around a tenth of Filipinos work abroad, and remittances are a major part of the economy. That absence and the family obligation around it shape social life directly, and the returning worker is a recognised figure in the culture.

Food is sour, salty and unshowy — adobo, sinigang, lechon — and karaoke is close to a national pastime.

Filipino and English are both official, and English is very widely spoken — signage, government, education and business all use it, and visitors will rarely struggle.

That said, over 170 languages are spoken and the language of daily life outside Manila is often a regional one.

Salamat for thank you and po, a particle added to show respect to elders, are both worth knowing; the second is used constantly and its absence is noticed.